Induced Acute Renal Failure (Injury) by Administration of Ethylene Glycol (Antifreeze) in Cats

Abstract

Etheylene glycol (EG) poisoning is highly dangerous in cats and a small dose of it could cause signs which are initially non-specific and may be easily missed. So,our study was preformed to determine the various effects of EG administration on cats. 10 cats of both sexes aging 1-3 years old were included in this experimental study. Cats were examined before starting the experiment clinically , physically and ultrasonographically to ensure their soundness, then EG was administrated at a dose of 1.4 ml/kg b.wt. orally by using of sterile syringe.clinical signs started with in 12 hours after adminstraion and 4 cases were died in the 2nd day after ingestion and the remaining 6 cats were followed up to 5th day of EG administration. Clinical, physical, , urine, ultrasonographic and post-mortem examinations were preformed on each cat before EG ingestion and on the 2nd and 5th day after EG ingestion . In addition, Blood samples wre collected from each cat for hematological and serum biochemical analysis. Our results revealed that, clinically the cats were depressed ,anorexic, unwilling to move with decreased rectal temperature and pulse rate while the respiratory rate was sigificantly increased at the 5th day of EG ingestion. Hematological analysis showed a significant increase of erythrocytic count while hemoglobin and PCV levels were significantly decreased at the 5th day of the experiment.The total leucocytic count was significanlty increased with significant neutrophilia and lymphocytopenia at the end of the experiment. Serum analysis of these cats showed azotemia, reduction in calcium, potassium and chloride with elevated phosphorus, sodium and magnesium levels. Urinalysis showed calcium oxalate crystalluria which could be noticed shortly after EG ingestion. It could be conculded that ethylene glycol ingestion could cause a sever renal damage in cats which may be fatal and methods of prevention of its ingestion by cats should be applied to avoid its serious effects.